In Muscatine on Friday, September 7, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30. Fine day. Called Mr. Lease in the evening about going in his house to wax floors etc. Helen & I went over awhile & looked around. To bed late.”
Nobody Home
What Health Insurance?
In Muscatine on Thursday, September 6, 1951, Dale wrote, “8 hours sick leave. Dropped out of Blue Cross. Went to the store. Took Helen for her 2nd shot. Busherys here at night. TV at night & to bed early.”
Feelin’ Poorly
In Muscatine on Wednesday, September 5, 1951, Dale wrote, “Sick leave today. Stayed in bed with heat pad all day. Mrs. Hazen moved out next door. Letter from Mother. Damp in evening. Fire in furnace. To bed early, Helen better.”
First Nationwide TV Broadcast
In San Francisco on Tuesday, September 4, 1951, President Harry S. Truman addressed the nation from the Japanese peace treaty conference in the first live, coast-to-coast television broadcast.
When Rx Were Cheaper
In Muscatine on Monday, September 3, 1951, Dale wrote, “Holiday. Cool. Dalene & I went to the drug store for a prescription. Bud Funk here to look at the house, to buy. Filled the shock absorbers. Took kids for a ride to Wagner’s to pay $4.30 insurance. Built a fire in the furnace. TV at night.”
Pancakes For Breakfast
In Muscatine on Sunday, September 2, 1951, Dale made pancakes for breakfast. I continue this Sunday tradition with a variety of recipes and genuine maple syrup. My parents used Karo corn syrup, which was about the only syrup available in Muscatine those years. Above: George and Alice Gobel in a vintage Karo ad.
Scratch That Itch
In Muscatine on Saturday, September 1, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30. Washed car at work. Helen worse with itch again. Dr. Swayze here in evening. Real estate man showed house to 22 couples. Kids went to a show at night & I went after them.”
Hot Morning
In Muscatine on Friday, August 31, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30. Hot in morning but cooled off by 5 P.M. Kopp brought real estate man here to see house. Took ironing to Mrs. Duncan. Helen got supper. TV in evening & to bed at 10.”
Renting Next Door
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In Muscatine on Thursday, August 30, 1951, having rented the house next door at 505 East 7th Street, Dale and Helen paid their current landlord, Mrs. Kopp, rent for the next two weeks at their current house, 507 East 7th Street. They also paid their next landlord, Mr. Lease, rent for the second half of September at the house next door. Above left: 505 East 7th Street. Above right: 507 East 7th Street.
Some Moolah
In Muscatine on Wednesday, August 29, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30. Pay day. Hot & humid. Humidity 92%. We may move next door within a week. Went & looked inside the house at night. To bed at midnight.”
Jettie’s Letter
In Muscatine on Tuesday, August 28, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30. Checked over all change letters & gave note to Reifert. Helen had a good night last night, slept 6 hours. TV at night. Letter from Mother.”
Making Booze
In Muscatine on Monday, August 27, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30. Worked at alcohol redistillation most all day. Plant then shut down. Shipped 3 tank cars. Took Helen to Dr. Swayze at night for itch treatment.” Re-distilling alcohol increases its proof, also known as alcohol by volume (ABV).
The Usual Sunday Dinner
In Muscatine on Sunday, August 26, 1951, Dale wrote, “Up at 7:30, breakfast, paper, & Dalene & I took a ride, took Ringer. Rain most of day. Took Helen to Dr. Swayze in evening for her itch. Fried chicken for supper. TV at night.” Ringer was our dog.
Stormy Morning
In Muscatine on Saturday, August 25, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30. Very quiet day. Thunderstorm in morning. Paid Stormer Electric for refrigerator motor $8.69, insurance paid it. Took Helen to store & downtown. TV at night.”
Rich Ride
In Muscatine on Friday, August 24, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30. Plenty of help now. I’m trying not to catch a cold. Rode in Stein’s Cadillac. Home in evening & TV at night.” He doesn’t say it was a new Caddy, but there’s a 1951 model above.
Choo-Choo
In Muscatine on Thursday, August 23, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to noon. Took 4 hours annual leave. We all drove Mother to Burlington to catch the 2:25 P.M. train to Osceola. TV at night.”
The House Next Door
In Muscatine on Wednesday, August 22, 1951, Dale and Helen rented the house at 505 East Seventh Street, which was next door to the house we lived in at 507 East Seventh Street. They did this to avoid a rent increase. Above: Dalene and Helen in front of 505 East Seventh Street a year or two later. This house had a nice screened-in front porch, as you can see.
Lunch At Carr’s
In Muscatine on Tuesday, August 21, 1951, Dale wrote, “Took Helen to Iowa City doctors Randall & Nomland, cost $15. Skin sensitive to soap etc. Ate lunch at Carr’s in West Liberty. Helen got a haircut in afternoon. I went to bed early. Kindling fire in furnace.”
Out About Town
In Muscatine on Monday, August 20, 1951, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 – 4:30. Jack Owens cap sealed on 4th floor. Arms on sick leave. Got washing & ironing for $3.34. Took Mother & Dalene for a ride in evening. Roswell here a little while in evening. TV at night.”
House Hunt Continues
In Muscatine on Sunday, August 19, 1951, Dale wrote, “Louies & Genes left for home at 11 A.M. Jim Chasteen told me about a house for rent so I saw Albert Crow & think I’ll get it – at 313 West 6th Street. Fried chicken dinner. TV at night.”